Little Bit of a Mess

Okay, so this mess is the result of a secret kal and it has been a headache! This pair of socks was started as two-on-one-needle, but then had to be separated to DPNs because of all the bobbins! I've never knit with bobbins. To date, I'm still running in ends. These sheep are a definite headache.

For the other sock (not pictured here) I decided to carry all the colors. I'm so glad I did. The end result is just about the same. You can still see colors through, but FAR less ends to run in.

Care of Magical Creatures Homework

Well, I made it down to Hagrid's for Care of Magical Creatures and thoroughly enjoyed myself and the class. I think Hagrid really gets a bad rap. He's very knowledgeable about these mysteriously phenominal creatures.

I did find I needed to have certain items for the class that I neglected to bring with me on this first trip, but will remember in the future. They have been placed in my pack ... after receiving a reducio spell, of course. I don't know as I could carry all of it AND my books!

Supplies needed for Care of Magical Creatures:

1. Special heat-resistant gloves to protect my hands from the nasty effects of some animal salivas as well as blast-ended skrewts, and other HOT items ... they are well padded, too, so they can protect my hands from sharp pointy things and the bites of some creatures who may desire to sink their teeth into something meaty ... like a hand!

2. Goggles to keep debris with special lenses to protect against bright blasts from a blast-ended skrewt or dragon breath, and the spray of nastiness from unknown creatures.

3. Salad tongs to aid in the picking up of gross things, baby blast-ended skrewts, and small eggs (as I do not want to leave my scent on the eggs when observing them and being able to return them to their nests).

4. A camera to take photos for my scrapbook and notebook to aid in learning and remembering what I've been taught in the Forbidden Forest. I feel this is important, because then I will nto have to rely on memory. I can also keep a running recorded record of my findings and continued research.

5. A blanket to cuddle and help care for baby creatures, to wrap them up and protect them.

Part two of my Care of Magical Creature's homework is a quiz about House Elves.

1. House elves have a pasty, clay-like coloring to their skin and are only about 3 to 4 feet tall. Their ears are large and bat-like, never missing a sound, keen like those of a canine. House elves eyes are large and bulbous, softball-sized orbs with a glassy appearance, always aware. Their noses are small and can be pointy or squashed in appearance, as different from one elf to another as human beings' noses are different. Their attire is generally that of an old used pillowcase, tea towel, or other household item transferred into clothing. House elves arms and legs are long and gangly, their hands and feet seeming larger than required for their body size, and their hearts are so giving, wanting to fulfill their needs to the family for whom they work.

2. Kreacher is the house elf for the Black family.

3. Hermione Granger is knitting hats for the house elves. She leaves them lying around the Gryffindor Common Room, sometimes hidden under objects, in the hopes that a house elf will pick one up and be freed from servitude. However, none of the Hogwarts house elves will go into the Gryffindor Common Room any more because they do not want to be freed. Dobby is not afaid and has taken on the task of keeping it clean and picked up, and as a result, has acquired a large quantity of hats.

4. A house elf is only freed when given a piece of clothing by his master.

5. S.P.E.W. stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare.

Part three is a bonus/extra credit assignment. I have made another beret and this one in a lovely light lavender color.

Transfiguration - Homework 2

This is my personal identification marker for this assignment. It is my wedding ring.

This week I am learning how to transfigure things. I have a list of items I am supposed to be able to charm into something else. Perhaps some items may appear wonky, but I have studied the books rather diligently and I hope my efforts will pay off.

These are the items I gathered to be used in the making of Hagrid's Rock Cakes. My marker is located on top of the Morton Salt container on the left of the photo.

Hagrid's Rock Cakes Charm
Measured, precise, Sugar and spice,
Yeast, and eggs from a hen.
Whirl around, Flour is sound,
Currants to add near the end.
Rise and grow, Heat and so,
Ready to share with a friend.

Wand movements:The wand is held delicately between the fingers, letting it have an airy touch. This is important if you want the cakes to be light and fluffy. Twirl the end of your wand in tiny clockwise circles above the ingredients following a figure-eight pattern. At the end of three figure-eight patterns, flick your wand upward in a quick motion. This additionally adds to the light and airy quality of the cakes. If you are not precise with the wand movements, cakes could end up heavy and leaden.
And, voila! The end result! My marker is located on the bottom right Rock Cake.

The Golden SnitchThe items gathered to transfigure into the Golden Snitch.

Golden Snitch Charm

Zippitty fast bird,
Darned near impossibly seen.
Airy Golden Snitch!

Wand movements: A light touch is required with this charm as you flick your wand up and down during the casting of the spell. You do not want a heavy hand with this one! You will desire the snitch to end up fast and quick, so your movements must be precise. Make sure your wand arm wrist has been limber up prior to performing this charm, otherwise you will not obtain the maximum flicking required to make the snitch quick.
The transformation took place rather quickly, but I had only moments before it took off again ... with my ring! I had to have the house elves help me corner it to get my ring back!

Remembrall
I gathered the items I thought I could transfigure into a Remembrall.

Remembrall Charm

Orb of wonder you will become,
Remembering my thoughts
Long time gone.

Wand movements:Wave your wand over the items as you repeat the incantation three times.

Bowtruckle


Supplies laid in and ready for the charm:

Wood and glue fuse as one
Make this into a Bowtruckle for fun.


Voila! Had to grab the little sucker before he ran away so I could take the photo!



Decoy Detonator
I gathered what I thought would be good supplies and waved my wand over them with my eyes closed. I wasn't sure what was going to happen:


Decoy Detonator Charm:


Blastomus Maximus!Eegads ... I better grab my ring and run!


Nose-Biting Tea Cup



After hunting up the supplies for this transfiguration experiments I grabbed my wand and with numerous flicks and whirls:


Gentle cup for quiet tea

Fascinate me with your teeth!


ARHG! Excuse me while I save my son!



Spectrespecs

I had visions of Luna in my head when I gathered these supplies. What fun!


Spectrespecs Charm:


Witty glasses full of charm
Present me with Spectrespecs to disarm!
Woo-hoo!



Time Turner
This was a little more challenging, but here it goes:

Time Turner Charm:

Time may come and and time may go
But let me pass through it to and fro!


Whee! Yippee!

First Homework Assignment

This year I am in the Ravenclaw Tower and meeting old and new friends. I'm so glad to be back at Hogwarts again. I was counting the days and kept waiting and waiting with anticipation. Now it's here and we have our very first homework assignment.

The three characters I have chosen for this term are Molly Weasley, Nymphadora Tonks, and Minerva McGonagall.

I love all the strong qualities of these women.

Molly touches me closely because she has a houseful of children and her life centers around her family. She is not disturbed by the fact her house is cluttered, because she knows when it matters most, the family will pull together and help. She dresses comfortably, not for show. She is warm, loving, and caring, and will fight for her family to the bitter end. Creatively, I love how she can knit, cook, and care for the family, all at the same time. A true homebody!

Minerva touches me because she has to be firm, but she most definitely has a soft spot. She is an educator and seems to passionately enjoy her role as Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration teacher. She, also, will fight for what is right, and seeks to help those who really need someone on their side, at least when she can. Of course, rules are rules, but she will bend those when she can. I really love the tartans she wears.

Nymphadora Tonks intrigues me. It is the book character, not the movie character I am drawn to. (Truth be told, I couldn't decide between her or Sybil Trewlawney.) I like her name. I like how she is a fierce protector. I like her oddities. She likes to have fun. She fights for the underdog. (Okay, I have to be truthful here ... I also liked Luna Lovegood as my other choice. Noticing a pattern here? Not one of them fits a mold ... they are all highly unique. But, as I could only list three ... well, there you go.)

Care of Magical Creatures

You need a special book for the Care of Magical Creatures class. Here is my Monster Book of Monsters. (This is the cake I made for my son's birthday.)
I wanted to make the chocolate frosting look like hair, but the tip would not work. Next time, note to self, use the same recipe as the white, but color it brown and forget the chocolate. It just doesn't push through the decorating tip like the white! (But, he liked it, and that's all that counted!)

Ravelympics 2010

I entered my Owl Cup Cozy for the Cable Cross-Country! Looky-looky!


I finished a little NICU Petal Hat for the Premie Hat Project for Charity Curling. It was also entered in Stash Dance, and Junior Olympics.
Bouquet of snowdrops from the knit-clad Bobettes and crochet-covered Bobdudes

Finished my first WIPS ... here is my medal! Woo-hoo!

Reducio 9

My package arrived! Look at the pretty wrapping. A neckerchief/scarf in pretty colors.

A crocheted sock, heart, scarf, and Harry sweater!

I believe this is a tiny pygmy puff and of course, a nice button pin!

Thank you, whoever you are! There was no indication in the package as to who sent it.